Improvement in devices for teaching singing



Y G. N. CARROZZI.

DEVICE FOR TEACHING SINGING.

N0.181,31Z. Patented Aug.22,1876

N. PECES FHrJTU-UTHDGRPHER, WLSHINGTON. D CA t. NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN DEVICES FOR TEACHING SINGING.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,312, dated August 22, 1876; application filed July 12,1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, G. NAPOLEONE CAR- ROZZI, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Phonemendator, or Voice -Itegulator, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, which will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the said instrument, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a vpart hereof, and in which the figure there shown is a perspective representation of the instrument above referred In exercising the voice, it is difficult to produce a goo`d musical tone unless the mouth is kept in aaproper position. rlhe object of my invention is to provide means for aiding those who are learning to sing to keep the mouth, tongue, and lips in such positions as will be conducive in producing pure musical tones and fullness of voice. To this end my invention consists of an instrument constructed substantially as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing, A A represent a bent wire, made either of silver, steel, or other suitable material. B is a vertical post or part, of such a length that when inserted between the front upper and lower teeth, it will keep the mouth open sufciently to aid in producing a full, free tone. I deem it preferable to notch the instrument slightly, as shown at a a', so that it may be` easily and firmly grasped and held by the teeth. The part into which one of these notches is sunken, as at a', may be made vertically adjustable in any suitable way, so that the distance between the teeth may thus be regulated or varied.

In the example shown, the lower notch is sunken into the head of a screw inserted into the lower end of the post B. The part A extends horizontally a little Way back from the post B, and is then bent downward, as shown, and curved horizontally, to form the part b. I deem it preferable to attach the part A to the part A in such a manner that the former part will be horizontally adjustable, and to so connect the part b to the part A that the part b will be vertically adjustable. The part b is intended to operate as a presser to prevent the tongue from rising too high in thel mouth.

C is a feather, arranged to indicate when the air passes through the nostrils, so that the pupil, if he thus discovers that he has formed suoli a habit, may strive to correct it, and learn to what extent he succeeds.

D is a small mirror, arranged to so reilect the feather that the pupil may conveniently see it and observe the position of his lips, or determine when all the proper conditions are fulfilled.

It will be perceived, from the foregoing description, that the post B, whether notched or not, will prevent the mouth from being closed, or too nearly closed, and that the presser-b will keep the tongue in a proper position.

To produce these results is the chief object of my invention; but as the length ofthe post B and the position of the part b mustl be adapted to the use of different pupils, and sometimes changed during the progress of the pupils, I have deemed it preferable to make these parts adjustable, instead of depending upon iixed parts in instruments varying from each other in size or position of parts. This adjustability, however, is not essential, except for the purposes set forth.

I also deem it preferable, for the purposes specified, but not absolutely essential, to emj ploy the extended part A, mounted with the indicator and mirror.

By the use of this instrument the pupil will soon become accustomed to hold the mouth and tongue in proper position without fatigue, and will acquire a full, pure tone.

.Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-v 1. An instrument composed ot' a presser for depressing the tongue, and of a post or brace for preventing the closing of the mouth, coinbined and arranged substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The extensible post B, in combination with the adjustable presser b, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination of the post B, presser b, extension A, feather C, and mirror D, all arranged substantially as specified, and for the purposes set forth.

G. NAPOLEONE CARROZZI.

Witnesses F.. F. WARNER, J. F. LAwLoR. 

